Pink Portal - Necklace

As seen in the 2010 Summer Supplement
Created by: Mollie Valente

Suggested materials:
40" #61-790-37 1.5mm fine "suede" lace, fuchsia
4 #41-151-90-15-7 crimp ends with ring, antiqued copper plate
1 #39-411-7 double-ball magnetic clasp, antiqued copper plate
1 #49-953-01-M letter "M" charm with loop, red bronze
2 #37-133-7 4.5mm round jump rings, antiqued copper plate
2 #37-136-7 5mm round jump rings, antiqued copper plate
5½" #40-099-16-7 2.1mm drawn flattened cable chain, antiqued copper plate
8 #26-114-7 5x5mm large-hole barrel-shaped beads, antiqued copper plate
6 #25-080-982 8x2mm large-hole ceramic heishi beads, bright assortment
(use 8 fuchsia/pink colored)
15 #23-264-172 Czech glass size 5 "E" beads, rose
1" #47-401-SP 16-gauge round wire, solid copper
1 copyright-free image (cut to size)
1 82-500-08 8oz kit EasyCast epoxy

Tools and supplies:
¾" diameter copper pipe (from hardware store), pipe cutter (from hardware store), resin mixing set (#82-599), Mod Podge® (to seal image), rubber cement, work surface covered with a plastic bag, 1.25mm hole punch (#69-234), chasing hammer (#69-134), steel block (#69-125), chain-nose pliers (#69-275-03), narrow flat-nose pliers (#69-275-30), Wubbers™ small bail-making pliers (#69-275-22), flush cutters (#69-056)

Create a personal keepsake by filling your "focal" with sentimental items.

This piece was inspired by Tracy Stanley's wire-bezel workshop.

TIPS:
* Create your own copper pendant or substitute a ready-made pendant of your choice.

* Cut the copper pipe about 3/8" thick and drill or punch a hole in the top.

* Hammer and shape the 16-gauge copper wire into a bail and insert into hole (this can be temporarily glued in place).

* Place copper pipe on a plastic bag, create a temporary seal around the pipe bezel with rubber cement and let it dry overnight. Use plenty of rubber cement.

* Add a layer of glass "E" beads and fill the bezel half way with resin; allow air bubbles to rise.

* Place the sealed image in the bezel and fill with resin; again allow the bubbles to rise.

* Let the resin cure for 24 hours. Once cured, remove rubber cement seal.

* The copper pipe is a heavy-duty hole-punching task. Keep extra replacement parts (#69-234-R) on hand.

* Personally tag your work with sweet little bronze and sterling alphabet charms.

* Vary the length of the cord to vary the length of the necklace.

See our printer friendly designer tip sheet and the following technique sheets:
Basic Jewelry-Making Technique Sheet
Epoxy Resin Tip Sheet
Techniques for Creating Bezels without Solder

To view our jewelry-making technique sheets (PDF files), you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. You can download it free here.

View more Resin Designs design ideas, or post questions on the Rings & Things Discussion Forum. Don't be shy! If you're wondering, so is someone else!

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